by Randal Birkey | Jan 20, 2016 | Local Government Law Bulletin, Timothy J. Clifton, Uncategorized
In January 2014, the Springfield, Missouri, City Council passed an amended panhandling ordinance. In December 2015, an individual filed a federal lawsuit against the City claiming that the ordinance was not being properly applied. Ultimately, in mid-December, a...
by Randal Birkey | Dec 10, 2015 | Local Government Law Bulletin, Timothy J. Clifton, Uncategorized
In the summer of 2015, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) indicated proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) concerning overtime exemption regulations. Specifically, the DOL proposed doubling the minimum salary requirement for an employee to be exempt...
by Randal Birkey | Dec 12, 2014 | Local Government Law Bulletin, Timothy J. Clifton, Uncategorized
The Illinois Legislature recently voted to override Governor Quinn’s veto of HB3796, which went into effect immediately (Dec. 3, 2014). This bill offers two different types of relief to units of local government in responding to Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”)...
by Randal Birkey | Aug 14, 2014 | Local Government Law Bulletin, Timothy J. Clifton, Uncategorized
The Illinois House recently passed a bill, which if approved, will allow police to obtain search warrants from a judge by phone and electronic transmission. Specifically, the bill calls for the amendment of 725 ILCS 5/108-4(c) (“Issuance of Search Warrant”) to allow...
by Randal Birkey | Jun 18, 2014 | Local Government Law Bulletin, Timothy J. Clifton
The Public Access Counselor recently released a binding opinion holding that settlement agreements entered into by units of local government that contain confidentiality or non-disclosure provisions are subject to FOIA, despite the confidentiality and/or...
by Randal Birkey | Jun 4, 2014 | Timothy J. Clifton, Uncategorized
Legislation is pending with the Illinois Legislature that would require all public works contracts over a certain dollar amount to be eligible only to contractors and sub-contractors who are “responsible bidders” as defined by the legislation. This legislation has...